Sutherland ends Brady girls’ season

The Sutherland Sailors sank Brady’s hopes of returning to the state basketball tournament this season.

After surrendering a 13-3 run to open the second half of their D1-11 subdistrict matchup Feb. 18, Brady clawed back to tie the game with one minute remaining before the Sailors survived 57-50.

Heading into the contest Brady coach Lance Arterburn said he knew his girls would have a size advantage inside.

“We got good looks inside and knew we could score,” he said. “We had shooters on the outside that kept the defense honest as well.”

Both teams, who like to push the ball in transition, struggled to score early as it was knotted up at 9-9 after one quarter of play.

Pace of play picked up as the two teams combined for 30 points in the second period with the Eagles clinging to a two-point advantage, 25-23, at intermission.

“We were up two at the break because we limited our turnovers in the first half,” Arterburn said.

However, the same couldn’t be said in the third quarter.

Brady turned the ball over on the perimeter and Sutherland’s guards were too quick in converting those mistakes into baskets, Arterburn said.

“On their 13-3 run they made four uncontested layins,” he said. “That was the turning point in the game.”

Couple that with cold shooting by Brady and the Sailors outscored the Eagles 18-9 to take a 41-34 lead with eight minutes remaining.

In the first seven minutes of the final frame Brady outscored Sutherland 16-9, tying the game at 50-50.

“When we tied the game I thought we would gain the momentum,” Arterburn said.

A made free throw gave Sutherland a one-point edge. Brady inbounded the ball and was in scoring position when a mishandled pass gave a Sutherland player possession before being fouled.

Trailing by three with 30 seconds left the Eagles rolled the ball into play to conserve time on the clock. As the ball crossed halfcourt a Sailor defender distracted Madison Elliott. The ball was scooped up by Sutherland and more free throws were on the way after another Brady foul.

Sutherland converted the free throws before three, three-point attempts fell off the mark for the Eagles and time expired on the game and their season.

Arterburn said he thought 50 points would win the game and his girls played hard.

“I’m proud of the girls. They did some good things but didn’t finish this one” he said. “That was tough to swallow.”

Madison Elliott was Brady’s high scorer with 18 points.

Jalyne Schuster scored a game high 21 points for Sutherland.

The Sailors advanced to the subdistrict finals and beat North Platte St. Patrick’s 43-28.

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